WWYD trip in oct FD or wait until spring

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

little background, we have no cc debt and our van will be paid off in september and then we will have no car payments! With the free dining deadline extended I am tempted to book a trip for oct 1-7 and charge it on the disney visa (which I would do even if I had the cash, for points) and get 0% for six months. I can afford to pay $1,000 a month to pay it off at that time. Our original plan was to pay off the van and then save for a trip this winter/spring (jan, feb or march) but we will actually pay MORE for the trip then than we would the trip in the fall.

Do you see my dilemna? Should I wait and go next year because it's better to have the cash in hand or should I take advantage of the deal going on now and book for the fall, paying off after we return?

What would you do?

 

[stitchlovestink]

WELL.... If it were ME, then I would take the trip in Oct and take advantage of the free dining. This would be provided that I knew beyond a reasonable doubt that the liklehood of any changes in our financial future were pretty much non-existent. did that make sense? LOL.
I would still try to keep the trip reasonable and not go on a major splurge. this is of course, what I would do. I'm sure you're going to find that I am not in the norm of what most of the buget boarders are going to suggest.
It really boils down to your comfort level of how sure do you feel that you will be able to pay the trip off before the CC starts accruing interest? Some people would never be able to enjoy their trip knowing that the cc bill would be hanging over their head for the next several (or however many) months.
I think you are going to find all kinds of answers here. More than even just go in Oct or go next spring.
Whenever you do decide to go, I hope you have a wonderful time at the World!

 

[secretpantssam]

I think I would go in October. Free Dining saves a ton of money and if you can pay it off easily, I don't see it becoming a problem.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Thanks, we were planning on a budget minded trip anyway. Our last trip was a big one and while it was wonderful, it was expensive! This time we will go value so the total bill shouldn't be more than $3,000 with airfare, boarding the dogs, etc.

I don't think anyone feels 100% sure nowadays. We feel maybe 90%-95% sure of our future, but you never know. I think that is what is holding me back. Last year we went on a trip that was paid for beforehand and I was feeling so guilty because of all the economy stuff that hit right when we were getting ready for our trip.

I just don't know what to do.

 

[Colinsmom]

Tip: After you pay off the vehicle, take your monthly payment and put it in savings (use auto-deduct so you don't have to do it manually each month). Then when you buy your next car/truck/van, you'll be able to pay a good chunk of the purchase price in cash. You may not plan to replace it for many years, but things happen that can accelerate that timeline - accidents, major repairs, etc.

If you plan to spend only $3000 on this trip and can pay it off in 3 months, then I would do that in October. When the trip is paid off, immediately start saving for your next car!